The British Academy

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Are you an early- to mid-career researcher with an interest in foreign policy? Apply for the Global Innovation Fellowships: German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and grow your skills and networks in Berlin with @dgap.org peers. Learn more: buff.ly/fAhi5yw

Why is the history of the potato so important? In our new 10-Minute Talk, food historian Rebecca Earle FBA walks us through the ‘invention’ of the potato in the Western world and the role of figures like Sir Walter Raleigh.

Watch the full video here: buff.ly/JfPbfsJ

Governance to Accelerate Net Zero Net zero is a complex, systemic challenge. It demands good democratic governance to drive collective action across regions, sectors and communities.

👥Working with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social on a citizens panel to inform the accessibility and affordability of net zero for households in the CCC’s Seventh Carbon Budget advice to the government.

Read our report's findings and recommendations: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications... 4/4

🏡The CCC sharing expertise on decarbonising homes at the Climate Assembly UK
✉️Working with homeowners to design measures and inform a letter to a Minister
💡Setting up a new team dedicated to understanding how the participation of people affected by policies can inform their advice to government 3/4

The UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) experimented with engagement and participation techniques, going from providing expertise to involving people in developing their expertise – this led to......2/4

Public participation can bake fairness and success into net zero initiatives, by bringing policies closer to home for people and communities.

Our new report highlights success stories of this which are already happening 🧵

The British Academy is opening a call for evidence from individuals and organisations with expertise in the key public policy areas for social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find more information and details about how to respond here: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/programmes/c...

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There are only three weeks left to apply for the Mid-Career Fellowships. The opportunity supports researchers in the humanities and social sciences to pursue a significant research project and engage the public with their findings. Apply now: buff.ly/VOWVPuC

The scheme is expected to pay for itself. Due to its success, Hackney Council has raised investments to extend it to council-owned homes, with Ofgem looking at how the model could be replicated for people living in flats elsewhere in the country 3/3

In Hackney, Ofgem, the private sector and Hackney Council have come together to help provide solar energy for flat residents. The scheme uses equipment owned by the Council, poses no up-front costs to tenants and shaves 20% off their energy bills 2/3

Getting to net zero is complex and challenging, but our report highlights some hopeful examples of collaboration and collective action: showing people and communities solving small problems adds up to positive change 🧵

ERC Starting Grants Webinar

The British Academy is running an informative webinar on the Wednesday 24 September for UK-based, humanities and social sciences researchers interested in applying for the ERC Starting Grants 2025 call.

Find out more on our website and register your interest: buff.ly/7jPoDN1

APEX Awards

Are you an established independent researcher interested in cross-disciplinary research? The APEX Awards offers funding for projects that break down the boundaries between science, engineering, humanities and the social sciences. Apply now: buff.ly/EREuI0U

Government must work with communities to achieve net zero, says new report A new British Academy report says the government must work harder to understand the needs of people across the UK to hit its Net Zero targets, while also navigating strained public finances, rising in...

3. Acting on inequalities between communities will also be key to sustaining public support for net zero policies.

This week we’ll be sharing some inspiring examples of where this is already happening in different parts of the country 4/4

www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/governm...

2. Use a place-based approach. To be successful, net zero policies must mobilise community groups, local authorities and local business and organisations, such as universities 3/4

What should leaders do to help speed up the race to net zero?

Three things:

1. Understand and address the needs of different people and communities, instead of relying on mass individual behavioural change 2/4

41% of people think the UK govt doesn’t consider their needs when making net zero policies. Why not?

Our new report uses insights from humanities and social science research to shed light on how political leaders can drive to net zero. One of the key findings? Put people and places at the centre 🧵

The British Academy has responded to a consultation by Medr on its new regulatory system for tertiary education in Wales.

We make the case for ensuring a wide breadth of subjects for all learners in Welsh tertiary education. Read our full response: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...

The British Academy is running an informative webinar on the Wednesday 24 September for UK-based, humanities and social sciences researchers interested in applying for the ERC Starting Grants 2025 call.

Find out more on our website and register your interest: buff.ly/VHCnyaY

Why is the potato important? In this 10-Minute Talk, food historian Rebecca Earle FBA explores the global history of the potato and the true extent of the roles of figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh in its adoption across Europe: buff.ly/LYdaXKi

The British Academy is running an informative webinar on the Monday 8 September for UK-based, humanities and social sciences researchers interested in applying for the ERC Synergy Grants 2025 call.

Find out more on our website and register your interest: buff.ly/VHCnyaY

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Applications for the International Writing Workshops are still open for researchers seeking to create networking opportunities and increase the uptake of research of international early-career academics based in developing countries. Learn more: buff.ly/OdmgXOf

Professor Joanna Brück elected International Fellow of the British Academy

👩‍🎓✨ Huge congratulations to Professor Joanna Brück of the UCD School of Archaeology on her election as an International Fellow of The British Academy, the highest honour it confers on non-UK residents in recognition of scholarly distinction.

@britishacademy.bsky.social www.ucd.ie/newsandopini...

Professor Julie Brown, Emeritus Professor of Music

Congratulations to Professor Julie Brown, Professor Emerita of Music at Royal Holloway, who has been awarded Fellowship by @britishacademy.bsky.social!

The Fellowship recognises her outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.

More: ow.ly/OJMz50WrSbl

Arts & Humanities academics awarded British Academy Fellowship In 2025, 58 UK Fellows, 30 International Fellows and 4 Honorary Fellows have been elected to the British Academy Fellowship.

👏 Congratulations to Professor Erica Carter @kingsfilmstudies.bsky.social and Professor David Papineau @davidpapineau.bsky.social @kingsphilosophy.bsky.social, who have been elected to the British Academy Fellowship for 2025!

@britishacademy.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social

Congratulations to Professor Matthew Baerman who has been elected Fellow of @britishacademy.bsky.social. www.surrey.ac.uk/news/surrey-...

The British Academy welcomes 92 new Fellows in 2025 92 distinguished scholars have today been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.

🎉 We're delighted to announce Professor @couldrynick.bsky.social has been elected as a @britishacademy.bsky.social Fellow in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the humanities & social sciences.

Read more about the British Academy Fellowship: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/agm-wel...

New Academy President urges Prime Minister to strengthen and champion UK’s world-leading universities as higher education crisis deepens In her first act as the new President of The British Academy, Professor Susan J Smith FBA has written to the Prime Minister to warn that cuts and contractions are damaging the UK’s higher education sy...

In her first act as the new President of The British Academy, Professor Susan J Smith FBA has today written to the Prime Minister to warn that cuts and contractions are damaging the UK’s higher education system www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/new-aca...

White banner with an image of a person speaking in front of an audience during a presentation. The words 'Mid-Career Fellowships' are written on the right-hand side.

Applications are still open for the Mid-Career Fellowships. The scheme allows UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences to complete a major project and share their insights with the wider public. Apply now: buff.ly/VOWVPuC

The British Academy welcomes 92 new Fellows in 2025 92 distinguished scholars have today been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.

The British Academy has elected 92 new Fellows in 2025 – a higher number than in previous years due to new Fellowship places for candidates whose research spans more than one discipline www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/agm-wel...